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This changes everything. Every-fucking-thing I thought I knew about the two of them, not that I really knew anything at all. I was prepared to go to war with Lev over Riley. Because, of course, I’d choose her. I’d choose her over anyone. I thought whatever he had going on with Riley came from a place of anger—just to hurt her.
Now, standing right in front of her, I sweep her sticky hair out of her eyes. “Has he been good to you?”
“No,” she says exasperatedly. “It’s Lev. But he hasn’t been all that bad. There are moments where I feel like I can see into his soul, and it’s not as dark as I’d expected it to be.”
Lev’s my boy. Aside from Riley, he and Maddox are the most important people in my life. If there is hope for him, then who am I to stand in the way.
“Don’t give up on him. Okay?”
Riley’s head jerks back and her mouth falls open. “Are you for real right now? You’re encouraging me to hang out with Lev?”
“I guess I am.” I slide up to her, feeling the rapid beat of her heart against mine. “But I’m not going anywhere. Don’t think I’m gonna let you forget about me in the process.”
Her arms wrap around my head and she pulls my mouth to hers. “Couldn’t even try.”
CHAPTER22
RILEY
As my gazedances around the moonlit area, I take in every exquisite detail. The fragrant scent of white roses from a crystal vase in the center of a small wrought-iron table set for two. Little flickers of light from tiny white bulbs strung along the tree branches that surround the garden. It’s breathtaking, and I’m rendered speechless.
“Well,” Ridge says as he joins my side, “what do you think?”
I steal a glance at him, expecting him to be dressed in some fancy suit because this is most definitely a fancy scene. But I’m actually happy to see he’s dressed in his normal attire because it’s him. He doesn’t dress to impress or say the words he thinks someone else wants to hear. It’s one of the things I admire most about Ridge. He’s unequivocallyhim.
“It’s…wow. Absolutely amazing. I can’t believe you did all this.”
“Eh. It was nothing. Got a little help from some freshman football players, and had it set up within the hour.”
After the rage room, I was caked in sweat and in dire need of a shower, so Ridge walked me back to my dorm and said to meet him here—in the botanical garden, just a short walk from The Square.
It's so beautiful here, and I’m not sure why I haven’t visited this place more often. Every shrub imaginable lines the pathways, spilling over into the grass. Flowers of all different sizes sway in the breeze and the scent of their petals fill the air. There's a small man-made pond tucked in a corner with a fountain in the center that is constantly running. Everything here is so perfect—like something right out of a movie.
At the start of our date, I was certain we’d be having muffins in the student center or eating junk food on the steps in front of the library, which would have been completely fine with me. I’m easily impressed and not hard to please. But this…this is spectacular.
I turn to look at Ridge, my heart nearly in my throat as tears prick at the corners of my eyes. “No one’s ever done anything like this for me before.”
Ridge tucks my hair behind my ears and his eyes travel down to my mouth. “That’s because you’ve been hanging with all the wrong men. I have every intention of making you feel special, every single day, from here on out.”
“You already do,” I tell him honestly. “You have no idea how much of a terrifying blessing you’ve been.”
We both laugh because it's all so true.
“Well, who else would take you to a rage room to unleash all your anger, as you scream your secrets out at the top of your lungs?”
I slap my hand to my face in embarrassment. “In my defense, my adrenaline was pumping so fast, I didn't know what I was doing, or saying.”
“That’s the whole point, Angel. I always knew you were a tough girl, but tonight proved just how tough you are. Remind me to never take you golfing when you’re pissed, by the way.”
I swat his shoulder playfully and push him back. “Are you gonna feed me, or what, smartass?”
Pivoting on his heel, Ridge takes my hand and leads me to the table. In the center, beside the flower vase, is a large silver platter with a lid. Beside that are two smaller platters and a clear bottle of some maple-colored liquid. “Paper plates, huh?” I giggle as Ridge pulls out my chair.
“Options are limited in these parts. However, I did have a couple guys from the culinary program whip us up something delicious for dinner.” My chair slides in and Ridge rounds the table to his seat.
“You really thought of everything, didn’t you?”
I watch him from across the table as he speaks, using his hands to really punctuate his points. But I don’t hear the words coming out of his mouth. All I hear is the steady beat of my heart as it accelerates with each passing second. And all I see is him. A guy who, months ago, had me convinced he was unhinged when he said, with the utmost confidence, that one day I’d fall for him just as hard as he fell for me. My cheeks flush with warmth when I realize that’s exactly where I’m at. Falling faster, and harder, than I ever knew possible.
